Racing: Coleen Rooney defends 'gorgeous' Aintree ladies

Coleen Rooney came to the defence of the women of the Aintree Racecourse as the Grand National meeting in her native Liverpool marked Ladies Day on Friday.

In several Twitter posts, the wife of Manchester United and England football star Wayne Rooney said her fellow female racegoers looked "gorgeous" and were "dressed to perfection".

Her comments came after a statement released by race organisers in February urged women attending this year's Ladies Day to smarten up in a bid to make the event "more aspirational".

This was widely seen as an attempt to rid the day of its 'ladette image', whereby young women in revealing dresses, some from Rooney's home city of Liverpool, were pictured drunk in the British national press after enjoying plenty of alcohol that is on offer at Aintree's many bars.

"Fantastic day at Aintree yesterday, lots of people made a massive effort and looked beautiful!! I am desperate to see these sad reporters," Rooney tweeted Friday.

"There showing us all what gorgeous looking people they are, dressed to perfection. Good job people can laugh .. Best way to be!!"

Rooney had been at the course herself on Thursday to celebrate her 30th birthday.

The mother of three was criticised by Britain's Daily Mail for looking a "tad garish" in an "orange fashion fail" after wearing a dress on Thursday which the newspaper said appeared to match her Caribbean tan following a recent family holiday.

However, Rooney added: "Not talking about me....I am in the public eye so expect criticism. It's the innocent people that turn up for a great day and get slated."

But there was support for Aintree's attempt to 'elevate' the tone of Ladies Day from racegoer Kayleigh Donovan.

"We love the races at Liverpool," said the 27-year-old London based Donovan, who came to Aintree on Friday with two female friends.

"It's our annual outing. Everyone has their own individual style, some are a bit out there and can be a bit outrageous.

"People wear things which maybe wouldn't be our choice. I think people have upped their game with the best dressed award. I'm glad they introduced a dress code as it makes it more of a classy event."